Record amounts of goods reloaded on Serbian rivers in 2017

The record amount of 10.5 million tons of goods was reloaded on rivers in Serbia in 2017, an increase by 16% compared to a year before, the Port Governance Agency announced on February 14.

The cargo most frequently reloaded is still gravel, sand and stone aggregate, making up 29% of the total amount, whereas the share of ores increased to 17%, as a result of more intensive activities of the port in Smederevo.

Oil and oil products make up 16% of last year's reloading on the rivers, whereas grains dropped to the fourth spot with a 13% share, due to the drought, which had reduced yields and increased the price per ton.

– The cooperation with the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, a consistent implementation of law and the Action Plan for Development of Water Transport of the Government of Serbia have resulted in having nearly 70% of reloaded good in designated port areas, whereas, two years ago, only 40% of the cargo was reloaded in port areas – the Agency says and adds that the plan is for all port activities to be carried out at ports and terminals in the upcoming period.

There were 996 cruise ships at terminals on Serbian rivers in 2017, an increase by 4% compared to 2016. They carried over 130,000 passengers, an increase by 11%.

The majority of them docked in Belgrade – 539, Novi Sad – 333 and Donji Milanovac – 112. Last year, terminals opened in Smederevo and Kladovo, and the first cruise ships are expected this spring.

In early, the port area was designated opened in Golubac, one of the most attractive tourist destinations, and a public invitation for the operator has been announced.

– By investing in port infrastructure projects and improving goods reloading conditions, we will continue improving the conditions for an efficient river transport of goods, so that ports in Serbia would become important multimodal centers and transportation hubs in this part of Europe, which will certainly have a positive influence on the country's economic development – the Port Governance Agency said.